Salim Ding Dong (Khan)

QAMYAB – THE FORGOTTEN GEMS OF BOLLYWOOD

Qamyab is our humble tribute to all those lesser-known actors, one hit wonders and junior artists who we see umpteen times but don’t know about; beyond their faces. These actors have been an integral part of Bollywood but didn’t get their due. This series is our sincere attempt to put a name to these faces, familiarize them to our readers and celebrate their achievements in life – however big or small. We believe that every artist contributes in his/her own way to the cinema’s success. Qamyab will explore the unknown lives of such actors and artists as we believe even these forgotten gems of Bollywood deserve their due recognition today.

The year 1983 is known for the maximum Bollywood debuts. First, superstar Dharmendra introduced his eldest son Sunny Deol alongside another pretty debutant Amrita Singh in Betaab. Next, showman Subhash Ghai launched the macho Jackie Shroff and rank newcomer Meenakshi Seshadri in a film titled Hero.

Legendary actor- filmmaker Raj Kapoor’s youngest son Rajiv Kapoor danced like his uncle Shammi in F.C. Mehra’s Ek Jaan Hai Hum alongside another beautiful debutant Divya Rana. Anil Kapoor, then a Bollywood struggler, got a new phase of life with a scintillating performance in his father Surinder Kapoor’s Woh 7 Din.

These big-ticket debuts were much talked about that time and some of these actors continue to be in the industry till date. One more actor and our forgotten gem for today, made his debut in 1983 but in small supporting roles. Nevertheless, he made his presence felt as the lead hero’s comic friend or the occasional negative character.

In case you haven’t guessed him yet, we are referring to Salim Khan (obviously not to be confused with superstar Salman’s father sharing the same name and part of the famous writer duo Salim Javed). Our Salim Khan was born as Salim Yusuf Khan in Mumbai on 20th September, 1965. He was the proverbial Bandra Boy belonging to a rich and educated family, which did not have any film background. Salim was passionate about bikes right since childhood and owned a garage at one time. His father was an Income Tax Officer and mother a homemaker. Before entering films, Salim was thrice winner of the Maharashtra bike race. You can say he was the biker dude from Bandra!!

In the early ’80s, director Subhash Ghai was making Hero with newcomers Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri in the lead. He needed some bikers to play Jackie’s gang and was particularly looking out for someone who could perform bike stunts in the movie.

Even in those days, Bandra Bandstand was a hub for young bikers, where they would perform stunts late in the night. Subhash Ghai visited the place and saw Salim Khan doing certain stunts on bike and impressed with his skills, decided to cast him in Hero.

Thus, Salim got his first break in Bollywood as Jackie’s friend, who helps him in kidnapping Meenakshi. Ghai’s biker gang were all new faces except the popular dancer Tyrone Aviet. On release, Hero became a huge box office success and Salim Khan became a recognized face.

Like all Subhash Ghai films, Hero had many chartbuster songs and one of its famous numbers was ‘Ding Dong; oh Baby sing a song’. Salim Khan was seen performing bike stunts in it and after its immense popularity, got the name Salim Ding Dong in Bollywood.

Salim’s second release was Hum Naujawan (1985) directed by the evergreen legend Dev Anand with newcomers like John Gardener (Akshay Anand), Richa Sharma, Bunty Behl and Atlee Brar. Salim Khan was credited as just Ding Dong in this big banner film.

Throughout the ’80s, Salim did small supporting roles in many hits like Ilzaam (1986), Guru (1989) and Jungbaaz (1989). His one memorable appearance is as a biker with Govinda in the popular song ‘I am a street dancer’ in Ilzaam. To be fair, his characters were too inconsequential in all these movies and no one really wrote or spoke about him.

Salim’s major break came in the early ’90s when he became a regular in most Salman Khan films, appearing as his close friend. Many didn’t know Salim’s name that time and would often identify him as Salman’s friend. In real life too, they were good friends, both being Bandra boys!!

Starting with the hit Baaghi (1990), Salim Ding Dong worked with Salman in films like Ek Ladka Ek Ladki (1992), Jaagruti (1992), Dil Tera Aashiq (1993), Sangdil Sanam (1994), Karan Arjun (1995) and Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar (2006). His death scene in Jaagruti was a pivotal plot element of the movie as well as his career best performance.

Apart from Salman Khan, Salim appeared in more than dozen movies with another good friend Ajay Devgan. These films include Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Jigar (1992), Dilwale (1994), Vijaypath (1994), Suhaag (1994), Naajayaz (1995), Haqeeqat (1995), Ishq (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999), Gair (1999), Chori Chori (2003) and Parwana (2003). He considered Ajay’s dad Veeru Devgan as his stunt guru, who choreographed many of his onscreen stunts.

Throughout the ’90s, Salim Ding Dong was seen in some notable films like Narsimha (1991), Deedaar (1992), Vishwatma (1992), Deewana (1992), Janam Kundli (1995), Krishna (1996), Deewana Mastana (1997), Mahaanta (1997), etc. Besides the comic sidekick, he played negative characters in movies like Vishwatma, Jigar, Vijaypath and Gair.

Post 2000, Salim Ding Dong was rarely seen in films as in those days, he became a close team member of Salman Khan and looked after his production schedules, finance and properties. He is credited as Salman’s team member in Jaaneman (2006) and Partner (2007).

After being away from Bollywood for quite some time, Salim made a comeback of sorts in the Salman Khan- Shilpa Shetty starrer Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar (2006). This delayed release saw him once again as Salman’s friend. This was his last Bollywood movie.